Warriors Withhold Salary Payments from Kristaps Porziņģis
The Golden State Warriors have stopped issuing semimonthly salary payments to center Kristaps Porziņģis, league sources told ESPN. The organization maintains that the 31-year-old is not rendering his contractual services, as he has been away from the team since the eve of training camp. This decision is costing Porziņģis $218,341 per game, according to Bobby Marks. The Warriors previously managed a similar personnel challenge during the 2024-25 season when De’Anthony Melton suffered a torn ACL; the team eventually traded Melton to the Brooklyn Nets for Dennis Schroder, who was later included in the deal for Jimmy Butler.
While the Warriors have shifted his roster status to "not with team," they have no current plans to void his contract. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. continues to explore trade avenues for the veteran’s near-expiring $20 million salary, according to ESPN. Porziņģis is not currently disputing the withheld payments, and the National Basketball Players Association has no plans to challenge the team’s decision, sources said. The Golden State Warriors, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, are actively pursuing trade avenues for Kristaps Porzingis while the team currently rides a five-game win streak following an 0-3 start to the season.
Player Contemplates Retirement Amid Recurring Health Issues
Porziņģis, who signed a two-year, $40 million extension this past summer, has struggled with recurring health issues. Kristaps Porziņģis is dealing with recurring symptoms of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that causes an elevated heart rate upon standing. He is currently contemplating retirement from the NBA as he manages these symptoms, which he describes as health stuff that you can’t exactly pinpoint.
Reporting for NBA Today on the Warriors' plans with Kristaps Porzingis, whose career is winding down: pic.twitter.com/sSkHvhqjX2
The situation escalated in early October following a meeting between the player, Dunleavy, and Rick Celebrini, the Warriors’ lead medical decision-maker. Although the team initially released a statement suggesting the center would be present, he subsequently left the facility and has not returned. This move prompted the team to change his designation from "general illness" to "not with team," and the absence is no longer considered excused.
Golden State Pursues Trades Involving Contract Value
The Warriors want to use the remaining value in the Porziņģis contract to strengthen their frontcourt rotation. The Golden State Warriors are actively pursuing trades involving Kristaps Porzingis’ contract, with the team motivated to move him in exchange for a player who can help this season, per ESPN and The Stein Line.
How close are the Warriors to trading Kristaps Porziņģis? The @JakeLFischer Latest breaks it down from every angle: https://t.co/yb0Ku1Bic2 pic.twitter.com/7D3xADRHPW
Despite reports linking the Warriors to various targets, Jake Fischer reports that the team has shown limited interest in Milwaukee’s Myles Turner, largely due to a reluctance to commit to long-term salary obligations. The team has also reached out to the Chicago Bulls regarding Jalen Smith.
Potential Buyout Scenarios
Should a trade fail to materialize, there remains a possibility for a buyout. According to three sources cited by The Stein Line, Porziņģis has expressed interest in negotiating a separation that would allow him to officially retire while recouping a portion of his salary. The current deal includes only $3 million in guaranteed money for the 2027-28 season, giving the team financial flexibility. The organization is currently balancing its desire for immediate depth with the need to protect its long-term financial flexibility.
Warriors Withhold Salary Payments over Unexcused Absence
Why is Kristaps Porziņģis not receiving his salary?
The Warriors are withholding payments because they consider his absence unexcused. Because he is not actively rendering services to the team, the organization has deemed the salary payments unnecessary at this time.
Is there a deadline for the Warriors to make a move?
Yes, the team is working toward the Feb. 11 NBA trade deadline. They are maintaining the contract in hopes of using it as a trade asset, though they have stated they do not intend to void the deal before that date.
On Porzingis: Warriors are probably just in a holding pattern for a while. He has told NBPA he doesn't want to challenge GS's withholding payments, per source. GSW wouldn't have incentive to try to void deal because that removes trade chip. But teams don't trade much in…
What is the status of the player’s health?
Porziņģis is dealing with recurring symptoms of POTS, which have caused significant fatigue and respiratory issues. He has not returned to the team facility since early October to continue his rehabilitation.
More on Warriors
The Porzingis saga continues to hover over everything the Warriors do. He is not with the team. He is not getting paid. What, exactly, is keeping him off the floor and away from the team this long? That depends on who you talk to. More w/ @sam_amick. https://t.co/xjzUw35VFx
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